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Heartbeat of the Earth
CULTURE & POWWOW
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Heartbeat of the Earth
Culminating with the spectacular Red Earth Powwow and Native Arts celebration in Oklahoma City, Heartbeat of the Earth is an exploration into Cheyenne and Arapaho history and culture that is entwined within the red earth of what was once 'Indian Territory'.
Join us on this journey back in time to the ‘free’ days for the Cheyenne. Our trail through their traditional Heartland follows the lives of iconic Native figures on the Plains, tracing events and their era through the experiences of the Old Ones. The Kiowa, Comanche and Cheyenne remain great warrior artists, and we view contemporary and historic art during our experience at Red Earth in Oklahoma amid expressive modern Native America; dance, music, fine art, jewelry, sculpture, writings… a celebration of the cultural survival of the people.
Stone Calf; Little Robe; Yellow Nose; George Bent; Red Plume; White Shield, Whirlwind… each of these illustrious men achieved storied status throughout Native America and their deeds reverberate to this day across the Great Plains. We follow the stories; visit their lands and even enter their home sites from the bygone days.
Renowned for their horsemanship, warrior skills and true tribal democracy, the Comanche Nation rode proud and free until the coming of the treaty of the Medicine Lodge, the Jerome Agreement and the Oklahoma land openings. We visit the Comanche Nation, and the home of their great leader Quanah Parker who refused the Medicine Lodge treaty terms and resisted the advance of white culture. We experience the sacred Paint Rock, the backbone of the Comanche world, where the sacred is reflected in images.
At Fort Sill which became the most significant post in the region we explore the life of Satanta in the company of his descendents, then travel to stand before the Wichita Mountains - the Holy Place for the Kiowa; much cherished by Satanta.
The Dog Soldiers were in the vanguard of Cheyenne resistance and we hear of their prodigious and stoic bravery during our time at Roman Nose State Park; named for the one man more than any other associated with the Dog Soldiers. Roman Nose was possibly the greatest and most influential warrior of any Plains Indian nation and was a headsman of the Cheyenne Elk Horn Scrapers while his closest friends were prominent leaders amongst the Dog Soldiers.
The Cheyenne’s called it ‘Lodgepole River’, but as the sun rose to the sound of gunfire converging on a surrounded village of sleeping Cheyennes, this site entered the annals of history on that fateful morning as ‘The Washita!’ We visit significant locations around the Washita Battlefield site to gain an insight into how the attack and fight unfolded, also discussing the dynamics within the Cheyenne Nation.
Excitement and the Heartbeat of the Nations awaits us at Red Earth; a celebration of the richness and diversity of Native American heritage where we enjoy the work of some of the nation’s most celebrated artists and the distinctive tribal regalia, originality and skills of elite powwow dancers in one of the most prestigious of all native dance competitions. We witness as the streets of downtown Oklahoma vibrate with indigenous spirit as representatives from more than 100 tribes, in full traditional dress, make the Red Earth Parade one of America’s most unique.
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Go Native America is a member of / promoted by:
American Indian and Alaska Native Tourism Alliance
Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance
American Indian Crafts Assoc.
Wyoming Travel and Tourism
Rocky Mountain International RMI Real America
Black Hills Badlands Association
Tour Members Say...
The sights, sounds, smells and sheer wonderment at the beauty of all directions has been with us ever since our return. Not a day goes by without our talking of some aspect of our adventure, and at night I am transported to those stunning plains and mountains, and the people we met. Gretchen, North Wales
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Indigenous Wisdom
If you look at the earth, there are certain places that seem to have power and we don't know what kind of power it is, except you have a different feeling, You feel energized... For most Americans, the Holy Land exists on another continent. But for Native people,
the holy land is here.
Vine Deloria Jr.
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International Press Says...
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National Geographic
Go Native America is included in National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime"
Please e-mail here to request the Lords of the Plains tour dossier: for itinerary and general trip information.
June 12 - 20
Ways to extend this trip:
Want to spend two weeks in Native America? A short flight from Oklahoma City to Phoenix AZ takes you to the start of another outstanding Go Native America journey Ancient Ways of the Hopi.
- Remember: take two Go Native America journeys in one year and you get your 2nd journey at a very special price!
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